Common Burn Injures Received at Work

I’m
Brian Ricci, a
workers’ compensation attorney in Greenville, NC focusing on burn injuries. Greenville and Pitt
County has its fair share of industrial jobs that involve working with
hazardous materials and
electricity. North Carolina workers put their bodies and lives at risk every time
they're on the clock working in hazardous conditions. Most employers
make sure to observe OSHA rules and other safety related protocols but
accidents happen. And sometimes the employer fails to keep employees safe
by neglecting to maintain some or all safety precautions needed to prevent
injury. Employees wind up with first, second, or third degree burns, triggering
a workers' compensation claim. But burns are so much more than an
injury received at work; they're disfiguring and can affect quality
of life for years to come.

The Different Levels of Burns

Burns come in three different types: first, second and third degree. Each
classification is a definition for the type and severity of burns a patient
received. A first-degree burn causes the least amount of damage. It’s
similar to getting a sunburn and there’s little to no long-term
damage. It's considered a superficial burn as the damage doesn't
go beneath the outer layer of skin. Second-degree burns are known as partial
thickness burns due to the fact the damage goes through the outer layer
of skin and into the dermis layer. This type of burn causes blisters,
redness of the skin, and swelling. Third-degree burns are the worst type
of burns the human body can sustain. This type of burn destroys the skin
layers and can damage the structures underneath. Muscles, tendons, and
bones all sustain damage that can be difficult to heal if at all. There
is little to no pain in a third-degree burn as the nerves are destroyed
as a result of the burn.

Common Injuries Caused by Burns

Burns come from a variety of sources that include electrical, chemical,
and thermal. While these burns come from different sources, the end result
is the same: permanent injury. Some of the physical damage a burn can
cause includes:

Blisters

Wounds

Full thickness burns requiring grafts to repair

Loss of extremities

Muscle damage

Burns also cause emotional damage that’s similar to post-traumatic
stress disorder. Those who suffer severe burn injuries are far more likely
to go through a grieving process, deal with depression, and even suffer
nightmares during the recovery process.

Treatment for Burns

First-degree burns rarely require more than minor treatment. They heal
on their own and only require that the area be kept clean and covered
until healing has completed. Second-degree burns can be a little more
complex depending on what was damaged. More aggressive treatment is required
in the form of wound care, pain management, and sometimes a skin graft.
Third-degree burns can cause permanent disfigurement and loss of function
to the point where the patient can never be the same as they were before
the incident. Those who suffer from third-degree burns need intensive
treatment of both the body and mind to help increase their chances of
survival in the short and long-term.

Anyone who suffers a severe burn while on the job has the option to file
a workers' compensation claim to get coverage for their medical bills.
Burn injuries are costly and an employee shouldn't have to be out
of pocket for something that wasn't their fault.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

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